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Valuable Upgrades to Make a Profit on Your Fixer-Upper

Wed, 08 Jun 2022 18:13:00 GMT

Redo the Wiring

Most old homes have electrical systems that may not be appropriate for modern-day appliances. If you plan to show the house to potential buyers, such features can be a significant selling point. For example, older homes may have electrical outlets that do not have ground wires. Grounding handles surges in power and ensures that your appliances and occupants in the house are safe.

You may also consider the energy efficiency of the home you upgrade. Modern-day consumers are conscientious of the sustainable attributes of their residences. For example, you can include solar panels as a backup system to the home. Solar energy also reduces the energy bills for the residents.

The panels are also an excellent way for green consumers to adhere to their principles about environmental conservation. In addition, such an upgrade increases the value of the home.

Repair Load Bearing Beams, Walls, and Foundations

The biggest fear of any homeowner is the collapse of the structure, especially if it is old. It would help if you prioritized the safety of occupants at all costs. Therefore, ensure that your contractor inspects the load-bearing members and determines the cause of any damage.

For example, the inspection might reveal the use of cheap materials, the presence of a termite infestation, or the placing of excessive weight on concrete work that has minimal support.

You can use different methods to repair the damaged beams depending on the materials and the extent of the damage. For example, your contractor can patch defects like cracks or redo the entire beam. The repair might also include deterrent features such as applying chemicals to keep termites away. You can also replace termite-infested beams with pressure-treated wooden or metallic beams.

The contractor could also underpin the foundation to improve the property's structural integrity. Usually, the contractor examines the property's structural load, the area's soil structure, and the condition of the existing foundation to determine whether to use mass concrete, cantilever needle beam, pier and beam, or pile underpinning.

Upgrade the Paint

The paint gives your house a brand new look, ensuring potential buyers get a good first impression. This impression lasts for a long while, and the buyers might give you a better offer. Paint also conceals some minor defects on your walls, ceiling, floor, and other areas of the house that need to have a spectacular appearance.

The painting process involves stripping down the original paint job and using sandpaper and other tools to ensure smooth surfaces. This stripping process also reveals structural defects concealed by filler materials and paint. You can repair these broken parts before painting the house. After removing the paint, the contractors spray a primer and then the color you select.

You can increase the price of a fixer-upper house by prioritizing the recommended repairs. At JO Contractors , we pride ourselves on helping property flippers get the most out of their investment. Our team will inspect the property and suggest cost-friendly repairs that can improve the property's value. Why wait till tomorrow? Contact our team for a quote.

5 Tips to Design a Great Rental Property Outdoor Living Space

Thu, 14 Apr 2022 18:36:00 GMT

2. Make It Accessible

The easier and safer an outdoor space is to use, the more tenants will actually use this space. Start by situating outdoor zones so they are part of the public areas of the house — preferably the living room or kitchen — to make the outdoor space look and feel welcoming. Make entry doors wide and inviting. Avoid unnecessary elevation changes and prioritize safety features like handrails and good lighting.

One important element of accessible outdoor spaces that many people overlook is protection from the elements. A solid roof and protective structures make things safer, keep them cleaner, and create an inviting vibe.

3. Expand the House's Layout

The right outdoor living zone actually serves to make the house itself feel larger. This is a great way to add value to a smaller rental home or to compromise when full additions aren't in the budget.

One of the easiest ways to add useful square footage that feels like a home extension is to build a deck. Its position off the ground, combined with a structured floor and faux walls, give it the feeling of just another room. A sunroom is another good way to add a room to the house without major renovation.

4. Find Out What Renters Want

Adding value to any rental property means determining what tenants want and what they're willing to pay extra for. If your tenant pool is largely families, for instance, they might be more interested in a fire pit and kid-friendly safety features than a fire table or outdoor bar.

Find out what competing landlords are adding as well as what outdoor entertainment zones are in homes being bought and sold to help guide your choice. Talk with current and prospective tenants. And research trends in your area. Even if a popular outdoor feature doesn't appeal to you, remember that your goal is to please the largest pool of renters possible.

5. Keep It Flexible

Don't design a space that's so specific to one use that it cannot easily adjust to new interests and needs. A three-season room that tenants can enjoy throughout the spring, summer, and fall, for example, is a space that each one can rearrange for their own purposes. Some might use it for outdoor dining while others might make a kids' play area. By providing the shell, you encourage tenants to picture themselves in the room.

Ready to start designing an outdoor living area that fits your property and future tenants? Start by meeting with the team at JO Contractors . With more than 25 years of experience renovating and customizing both indoor and outdoor spaces, we can help you find the right design for any rental. Call today to make an appointment or get answers to your questions.

Factors to Consider When Building a New Home

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 18:59:00 GMT

If you are thinking of building a new home, you ought to have everything laid out before beginning your construction project. This will ensure you build a home that meets all your needs, making the construction process smoother.

A lot of planning goes into constructing a custom home, and the work can become a little overwhelming. Read on to discover a list of factors that are vital to the success of any new construction project.

Location

When building a custom home, you want your house to be in an ideal location. You want your home to be in an area that suits your lifestyle. Consider factors such as traffic and security and your proximity to hospitals, supermarkets, and other amenities. If you're a parent, you should also think about proximity to schools.

House Size

The size of your house will determine how many rooms you'll have. It may also determine the size of the land you choose for construction. Think about how many bedrooms and bathrooms you need as well as the size of common rooms. You also should consider whether you need special rooms like a home office, study, or game room. The size of your family will also determine the house’s size.

Present and Future Needs

People often forget to plan for the future when building a new home, which can cause numerous inconveniences when their family size grows or they find themselves having to accommodate an elderly parent.

Before building your home, consider if you'd like to have kids one day and how many. Is there a chance your siblings or parents may live with you one day? If you want to keep your home in the long term, make sure it can serve your present and future needs.

House Layout

Depending on the building materials and structural integrity, a conventional building may last for over a hundred years. This means you may pass your house down to the generation that comes after you. In that case, you want to ensure the house has a practical layout.

Consider factors like orientation to ensure the house has enough natural light. Think also about the floor plan, window sizes, doorway size, and ceiling length. A simple structure is suitable if you want to reduce construction costs and time.

Outdoor Features

You may also want to consider your outdoors. For instance, think about the size of your lawn and whether you want a patio and a pool. You want your home to have a curb appeal, so work with your contractor to ensure your exterior spaces are as beautiful as your interiors.

Budget

The materials you use for your home, the size, and the layout, will all depend on your budget. Know how much you are willing to spend and whether you need to talk to a loan officer. The average construction costs for a new home are $100-$200 per square foot. Adding luxury fittings such as a walk-in closet may increase the price to $500.

Depending on how much work needs to be done, labor costs may make up 10-20% of construction expenses, so ensure you hire a contractor you can afford to pay. You may also want to set a contingency on your budget to take care of unexpected costs.

Required Permits

Before you can start construction on your home, you will need a building permit from your state government. Additionally, you may need to file several applications to show that you are following zoning laws and the appropriate building codes. It may take your local authorities some time to process all your permissions, so make sure you make all applications for approval early on in the project.

Choosing the right building partner is essential in the construction process. A reputable contractor will ensure you have all the permits needed for construction. They will also consult you throughout the project to ensure you stay on budget and that the project stays on course.

At JO Contractors , we offer expert construction services to make your vision a reality. Contact us today for construction services in Lake Anna, VA.

Answers to Your Questions About Adding a Fireplace

Wed, 29 Dec 2021 19:14:00 GMT

Do you want to add coziness, luxury, and a conversation piece to your home? Then consider the value of installing one or more fireplaces. This simple addition can serve a variety of purposes, including boosting home value and making rooms more useful. To help you decide how, where, and why you should install a fireplace, here are some answers to your questions.

Where Can You Put a Fireplace?

Today's homeowners will be glad to know that you can install a fireplace just about anywhere inside and outside your home.

While the most common place to use them is in a main public area of the house, such as the living room or an outside entertainment zone, they're also great for many other rooms. A fireplace turns a primary bedroom into a relaxing haven. They can be a cozy surprise in guest rooms. They add ambiance to dining rooms and can give structure to great rooms and open floor plans.

What gives fireplaces this flexibility? First, you can opt for gas and faux fireplaces which do not need extensive venting, chimneys, and masonry. Second, fireplaces now come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes ranging from statement centerpieces to small, wall-mounted units. So the sky - or local zoning rules - is often the limit in terms of location.

How Much Does a Fireplace Cost?

Every home renovation project is different, so there's no one price to include a fireplace. You might be able to include a smaller unit for several hundred dollars or you could spend thousands on a large custom design.

Premade designs featuring gas, gel, or propane are the most economical. If you want a wood-burning fireplace, you can expect to invest more in the accompanying structure. However, homeowners who are already renovating may find that it's cost-effective to add a fireplace while things are torn up.

Is a Fireplace Practical?

While fireplaces were originally the primary source of heating and cooking in American homes, they are mostly decorative now. However, modern innovations have made fireplaces more practical for today's families. You can now turn on a fireplace as easily as the heater. It can comfortably heat a medium-to-small room, including a bedroom. And sealed (non-wood burning) fireplaces can be very energy efficient.

What Are the Downsides to Fireplaces?

Of course, any home addition has its share of downsides. One of the most obvious with fireplaces is the fire danger. Even with safety-conscious modern designs, parents and those with pets should consider whether they can take sufficient precautions to protect everyone from open flames.

The other most common deterrent is the cost of installing the unit. While this can be kept in check by fireplace choice, it's always going to add to your remodeling budget. When doing the math, remember that initial cost is mitigated by the fact that wood-burning fireplaces are usually the cheapest to operate. Depending on prices in your area, gas and propane fireplaces can still be inexpensive in the long run.

Most remaining challenges when it comes to fireplaces are for wood-burning fireplaces. With these, you need convenient storage areas for accessories and wood. You'll have to clean it out and the masonry and chimney require maintenance. Finally, you may experience ash or other dust in the room after using it regularly.

Where Can You Learn More?

Ready to know more about adding a fireplace to your home? No matter where you think one would add the right touch or what your fireplace budget is, the best place to begin is by consulting with JO Contractors . We'll help you assess your needs and options to find the right addition to bring joy and warmth to your home. Call today to make an appointment.

5 Ways to Maintain the Value of Your Home| JO Contractors

Thu, 21 Oct 2021 19:30:00 GMT

Your home is a valuable investment. In fact, for many Americans, it's one of the biggest financial and time investments they will make. Protect that investment by maintaining the value of your property against the ravages of time and changing trends. How can you do this? Here are five key ways to accomplish it on any budget.

1. Make Repairs

First and foremost, make sure that you keep up with needed maintenance and repairs. The best way to approach this is often to set aside a dollar amount (or percentage of the home's value) each month as a fund for repairs and maintenance. This includes everything from carpet cleaning and deck power washing to roof repairs.

Scheduled maintenance is a good investment as this helps avoid costly repairs and replacements later on. And you should prioritize repairs or maintenance work that affects the structure of the home rather than cosmetic changes.

2. Update Appliances

Old appliances will give away an old home faster than many other types of aging elements. Most appliances have an operational life expectancy of between 9 and 15 year s. As they reach their age limit - or as they start to look outdated - update to modern models that feature popular technology and energy efficiency.

Your appliances don't need to be the most expensive, fanciest versions, though. It's more important to keep them all reasonably and equally modern than to go all-out on any one item.

3. Spruce Up the Exterior

Your home's exterior is the first impression made on visitors and future home buyers. What impression does it give? Is the paint faded and peeling? Has the landscape become overgrown or littered with ailing plants that never quite thrived? Does the exterior fit the style and theme of the house? Does it look good compared to neighbors? If not, what can you do to improve its character?

Think about your outdoor entertainment and lounge areas along with the yard and home. Modern home buyers value outdoor living, so updates in this area keep up with current trends. And keeping up will help your home's value keep up as well.

4. Create a Schedule

Putting off renovations eventually means that you'll need to do a huge remodel in order to update all the areas that have become dated over the years. Instead, craft a schedule for doing smaller, individual updates on an annual or biannual basis. You might update one bathroom this year, add an outdoor barbeque next year, and install new windows the year after, for instance.

On a tighter budget? Smaller renovations like painting, adding molding, boosting storage, or covering the patio contribute to the home's value without a huge financial outlay.

5. Keep It Above Board

Hire trained, licensed professionals when you have work done. While skipping important steps like permits, specific skilled trade contractors, or behind-the-scenes wiring and plumbing improvements may save some money now, it will devalue your home. Buyers want a home they know is up to code and renovated reliably. Failure to provide this assurance will mean lower prices when negotiating a home sale.

Could your home use some assistance in any of these areas? No matter what you've done - or not done - to maintain the value of your home in the past, now is a great time to think about how you can do more in the future. And a skilled contractor can help.

Virginia homeowners can call on the team at JO Contractors . We will work with you to craft a plan that includes what your home needs on a budget you can afford. Contact us today to make an appointment or have your questions answered.

3 Things to Think About Before Eliminating Interior Walls

Mon, 16 Aug 2021 19:32:00 GMT

Design trends in home construction have a tendency to change over time. Many modern homeowners want an interior living space that feels open and has a great flow. Achieving an open floor plan when you live in an older property is not always easy.

Removing some of the interior walls that close off your living space can be an effective way to open up your home's floor plan.

Eliminating interior walls sounds easy enough, but you need to think about some important things before you have a contractor start the demolition process.

1. What Type of Wall Is It?

Before you make the decision to tear down an interior wall, be sure that you identify the type of wall you are targeting.

Some of the interior walls in your home are load-bearing walls. This means that they play a crucial role in helping to support the weight of your home's roof. Eliminating a load-bearing wall could compromise the structural stability of your home.

You can tear down a load-bearing wall, but you will need to call in a team of professionals to redistribute the weight the wall previously supported.

An architect and a structural engineer can work with your contractor to determine if a horizontal beam or a beam-and-post system can successfully redistribute weight so that you can tear down a load-bearing wall.

2. What Is Inside the Wall?

Once you know whether or not the wall you want to eliminate is a load-bearing wall, determine what types of things may be within the wall. Access to your home's original blueprints can be helpful when trying to locate hidden service components.

Many of your home's vital systems feature components that run through the walls. Plumbing pipes, electrical wiring, and HVAC conduits are some of the most common service components in residential walls.

Any service components in an interior wall you want to remove will need to be relocating and installing in another location. This process could leave your home without access to plumbing, electricity, or heating and cooling services for a few days.

Coordinate the relocation of service components with your contractor as you prepare to remove an interior wall so that you can make accommodations for system outages.

3. How Will You Fill the Flooring Gap?

A bare patch of subfloor will be exposed once you remove an interior wall. Consider the type of flooring that you will use to conceal and protect the subfloor where the wall once stood.

A lot of homeowners choose to install new flooring throughout the rooms that have been made into a single living space with an interior wall removal. New flooring can create continuity and eliminate the need to patch over the subfloor where the wall stood.

If you do not plan to install new flooring as part of your home renovation, work with your contractor to source flooring materials that can fill in the gap left behind once you remove an interior wall.

Any interior wall that you do not like is removable. Just gather vital information about the wall so that you will be able to weigh all of your options.

The more you know about the purpose and design of the wall you want to get rid of, the better prepared you will be to accommodate the wall's removal in your renovation budget and timeline.

Contact JO Contractors to remove your interior wall and open up your living space. We can help you plan for the removal, renovation, and remodel work that it entails so that you can enjoy a beautiful open floor plan. Let us know about your project today.

The Need for a Bathroom Addition and Some Tips

Sun, 13 Jun 2021 19:35:00 GMT

A new bathroom is one of the best additions you can make to your home. You just need to know how to get it right, and you will reap the benefits. Below are some of the circumstances that call for bathroom additions and some tips for the best implementation.

When Should You Add a Bathroom?

A new bathroom may be a welcome addition in most homes, but some people can benefit from additional bathrooms more than others. Below are some of the circumstances in which to consider an additional bathroom.

Your Family Has Grown

As your family grows, you might struggle to use the same number of bathrooms as before. Maybe you bought the house when it was just the two of you, but you now have kids and live with a couple of relatives or so. An additional bathroom can help you avoid those long wait times in the morning.

You Need Increased Mobility and Safety

An additional bathroom can also help you accommodate household members with mobility issues. Maybe your parents or grandparents have moved in with you. Maybe you have a chronic health issue that makes using the normal bathroom dangerous. You can install another bathroom with mobility and safety issues, such as grab bars, nonslip flooring, and low-sitting fixtures.

You Frequently Entertain

Entertaining guests calls for an additional bathroom so that they don't have to share the family bathroom. That way, you don't have to overcrowd the existing bathrooms or inconvenience your family members.

You Have Unused Space

You may find yourself with unused space after a lifestyle change or once your children move out of the house. Maybe you used to work from home and had an office, but you no longer work from home. You can carve a bathroom out of the unused space instead of letting it lie idle.

You Want to Boost Your Home's Value

Remodeling projects increases a home's value. An additional bathroom is one of the projects you can use for a value increase. According to HomeAdvisor , an additional full bathroom increases your home's value by about a fifth.

You Want to Preempt Emergencies

Consider adding a bathroom to your home if you currently have only one bathroom. One bathroom is risky because you won't have any if something happens to your bathroom. For example, you need an additional bathroom in case the toilet in the other bathroom breaks or the drain clogs.

What Are Some Tips?

Adding a bathroom is a major renovation project. You must get it right to enjoy the maximum benefits. Below are some helpful tips.

Find the Right Place

The right place for your bathroom should be close to existing water and drain lines. It also shouldn't interfere with the use of other rooms or unnecessarily inflate your budget.

Suitable areas for your new bathroom include:

Hallways that extend to the end of the house
Large closets
Large bedrooms
Large laundry rooms

A contractor can assess your home and advise you on the best location for the new bathroom.

Observe Relevant Regulations

Observe building codes, homeowners association (HOA) rules, and other relevant laws and regulations. Check if you need a permit or inspection for the addition as these requirements sometimes vary even by town. The regulations can get even more complex if you plan to change the floor plan, electrical wiring, plumbing system, and other major house systems.

JO Contractors has experience with home remodeling and renovation projects. No project is too big or too small for us. Contact us for a consultation on your bathroom addition project to benefit from our experience and professionalism.

What to Consider When Adding an Addition to Your Home

Mon, 26 Apr 2021 19:47:00 GMT

How Much Value the Addition Will Add

You would assume that adding any rooms would boost the value of your home, but that isn't always the case. Even if you don't plan on selling your home anytime soon, consider how changing the home will affect the value. Even if you end up staying in your house for 20 years, some of the changes you made may increase or decrease the home's value.

Usually, the type of room depends on whether it will boost the home's value. For starters, if you don't have a master bedroom, but you build one, this could boost the value because most homeowners expect a home to have a master bedroom. Adding another bathroom will also usually boost the value of your home. And adding an entire second-story addition is often also worth the investment.

However, there are some situations where it may be best to remodel or expand. If you simply want your home's layout to be different, but you don't care about adding rooms, a remodel may be the better idea. Even minor remodels to the kitchen and bathroom have a great return on investment, so they will help boost the value of your home. Plus, a remodel is often more affordable.

If the Inconvenience Is Worth It

Adding an addition, and even remodeling a single room, can impact how you function in your home. For example, adding a detached addition won't cause issues like dust, dirt, or noise, but you will have builders and contractors on your property.

If you build an attached addition or remodel a room, it can create dust and debris that gets into the other parts of the home, which can make breathing difficult.

In some cases, construction projects could limit you from using certain rooms, like the kitchen. If you can't use your kitchen, you can't prepare meals at home, so you'll need to determine how you'll feed your family and if it's worth the trouble of the remodel.

If you can afford the addition and it will boost the value of your home, it may be an excellent idea. And a good remodel may be all you need to make your home more comfortable and more valuable. For more information, contact us at JO Contractors today.

3 Home Office Addition Design Tips

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 20:40:00 GMT

1. Consider an Accessory Dwelling Unit

Many people who work from home enjoy working out of buildings that are completely separate from their existing homes. If you have a large back yard, then consider adding a home office accessory dwelling unit (ADU) to your yard.

Accessory dwelling units offer many benefits you cannot obtain from traditional room additions or garage conversions.

First, depending on where you live, adding an ADU to your yard can increase your home's resale value by an average of 51 percent . Room additions and garage conversions can increase the value of a home, but not typically as great as an ADU does. In addition, a home can be more difficult to sell after the garage is converted into a living space since many home buyers will not purchase a house that does not have a traditional garage.

Also, when you work in an accessory dwelling unit, you do not have to worry about noise from other areas of the home traveling through the walls and affecting your productivity or disrupting important conversations with clients.

Finally, an office that is located in a building that is separate from home can appear and feel more professional than an office that is located inside of a home.

2. Sound-Proof Your Room Additions

If you prefer a home office that is attached to your home, then consider adding a home office room addition with soundproof walls. These walls can block out the noise your family creates in other areas of the home while you are working that distracts you from your work or disrupts important client communications.

When creating soundproof walls, building professionals first skip traditional wall insulation and instead opt for acoustic fiberglass batts. In addition, special drywall that is much denser than standard drywall is installed, since this denser drywall blocks more sound. Finally, metal strips called resilient channels are attached to wall studs to prevent a sound transfer through these wall components and all air gaps in walls are sealed thoroughly with acoustical sealant.

The addition of an acoustical wooden door with a high sound transmission class (STC) rating can prevent a sound transfer through your office door, as well.

3. Opt for a Dual-Purpose Room

If you worry that you may not opt to use your home office forever, but instead return back to the workplace, or simply want to get the most you can out of your home addition, consider adding a dual-purpose home office/ guest room to your home. This room can serve as your home office during the workweek while doubling as a guest room on weekends.

To prevent the hassle of dragging a bed in and out of the room as needed, install a murphy bed that tucks away into the wall during office hours or furnish your office with a day bed or sleeper-sofa that functions as a sitting area during office hours and a bed when guests are in town.

Also, equip the room with plenty of storage space where your work documents and other office items can be stored out of sight when guests are occupying the room. Finally, choose a wall desk over a bulky, freestanding one to prevent your work station from becoming the focal point of your guest room when it is in use.

If you work from home and do not have a dedicated home office, then consider adding a home office addition and keep these three tips in mind when designing it. Contact the home addition experts at JO Contractors to begin discussing your new home office addition project today.

5 Home Styles That Can Use Reclaimed Wood

Thu, 10 Dec 2020 20:44:00 GMT

2. Vintage Farmhouse Style

In a vintage farmhouse style, you may want your reclaimed wood materials less naturally shaped than in a log cabin style. For instance, support beams are more likely to be squared off rather than rounded like you might see in a log cabin. But you'll still find plenty of ways to use the reclaimed wood.

Windowsills, floors, doors, furniture, and rafters can all provide opportunities for reclaimed wood use in this style. And smaller decor items can use reclaimed wood as well, such as:

Crates or crate-style shelving units
Decorative signs
Coat racks and other racks
Decorative window shutters

These smaller decor items can help you solidify your theme or aesthetic, since they can all go well with a farmhouse decor style.

3. Industrial Style

An industrial or grunge aesthetic will tend to have darker neutral colors, dramatic light fixtures, and metal or concrete-looking features. But you can still find ways to use reclaimed wood in this style of decor. In fact, reclaimed wood that's seen a lot of use can be especially well-placed in a grunge style, which tends to favor distressed surfaces.

A reclaimed hardwood floor could mesh very well with a industrial style, or perhaps a paneled wall made with reclaimed wood. Or, you could use reclaimed wood beams to create unique light fixtures and shelving units.

4. Beach House Style

A coastal aesthetic can work well with wood in a couple of different ways. First, if you're using reclaimed wood that's weathered a bit, it can offer a very similar look to driftwood. This will allow it to fit right in with a beach theme. You can then use it for accents, decor, or even flooring. Cedar can be especially great for this, as it weathers to a beautiful silvery color.

Second, you can stain wood in a beach-y color, such as white or teal, to provide an aesthetically unified color while letting the wood's texture shine through.

5. Modern Mid-Century Style

While the applications may be more limited, you can absolutely fit wood into this style of home. For instance, if you find reclaimed wood flooring material, you can simply use it to create a new floor that can look very similar to (or even better than) one made with brand-new materials. In addition, reclaimed wood comes from a lot of different tree types, such as:

Pine
Oak
Chestnut
Ash
Cypress

These different types of trees offer a variety of colors and styles, so you can find a wood floor to go with practically any color scheme.

These are just a few of the aesthetics and decor styles that can easily utilize reclaimed wood in their design. No matter what type of aesthetic you're aiming for in your home or vacation home renovation, you can find a way to incorporate reclaimed wood if you so desire. Get in touch with JO Contractors today to learn more about the remodeling services we offer.

Tips to Create a Luxury Vacation Rental

Wed, 14 Oct 2020 21:05:00 GMT

Updated Fixtures

Even if you go for a vintage style in your vacation home, your guests will want every convenience you can provide. Depending on your budget, upgrade your oven, stovetop, refrigerator, and other fixtures in your kitchen to modern and sophisticated models. Update the bathrooms and bedrooms too, ensuring a comfortable stay no matter what style you choose to use.

Stylish, Simple Decorations

How you decorate your vacation home can make the difference between a potential renter who clicks to the next listing and one who decides to book right away. Some choose to go with a theme; if the house is beachfront, an ocean theme is an easy choice, while if you're tucked away in the mountains, you may opt for rustic and woodsy patterns. Others recommend a peaceful, neutral atmosphere to broaden your potential client base.

Some rental property owners design certain rooms to appeal to children and others for parents, while others design the house to fit as many people as possible. Feel free to use furnishings that make you think of luxury, but don't crowd any of the rooms; clean, open spaces feel far more elegant than stuffed, cluttered areas. Keep consistent color schemes and textures throughout to unify the look of the home.

Proper Maintenance

Any rental property should have consistent maintenance to keep the quality your guests expect, but if you want to present your house as a luxury getaway, you'll have to stay a step ahead. Thoroughly clean your vacation home after each booking, and touch up any small dings or scratches. If your guests report more significant issues, like clogged plumbing or darkened light bulbs, fix them before your next renters come.

Quality Pictures

Unless you have a line of friends who want to take vacations in your second home, you'll have to advertise online. When you sign up with a website to rent out your vacation home, fill the listing with pictures. You don't have to hire a photographer, but be mindful of your lighting, setup, and angles as you take the pictures. After all, they have to convince prospective renters of the work you put into this home away from home.

Ready to create the vacation home of your dreams, or do you have some projects at home you want a professional to handle? Entrust your renovation process to JO Contractors, who handle every job like a personal project. Get in touch today to discuss your contracting needs.

3 Features to Include in Your New Home Plans

Sun, 16 Aug 2020 21:08:00 GMT

2. Nix the Formal Dining Room

The idea of a formal dining room appeals if you are prone to dinner parties. However, many families enjoy a more casual lifestyle and do not want to spend valuable square footage on a rarely used room. Sometimes the gravy-cooling trip from the kitchen to dining room is just too far.

Instead, families nix the formal dining room and opt for an enlarged breakfast nook with enough room for a larger table. This space is more convenient because it is immediately adjacent to the kitchen, which lets hosts and guests still engage with one another. Additionally, the idea of a large breakfast nook fits well with the great-room or open floor plan concept. Here, families and their friends can visit, eat, and watch TV simultaneously.

3. Upgrade the Backyard

While not technically part of your architectural home plans, the backyard is still an important feature on a property. Many families consider outdoorliving essential and add or upgrade elements already in the yard to enhance the enjoyment of nature.

Time spent outside with family has become even more important while many restaurants or other entertainment venues are closed. Fresh air and sunshine in your own backyard offer positive health benefits as well.

One way to upgrade outdoor living space is to add a deck off of the eating area or great room large enough for a table, chairs, firepit, and other seating spaces for relaxation and dining. If your family wants more protection from the elements but still craves the sun, consider an enclosed patio or unique space like a sunroom.

Your deck system can be built to accommodate a second floor as well, which helps connect more of your home to the outdoors. For example, add a private deck off a second-floor master bedroom. You can add stairs to allow access to the main deck on ground level.

As you search home plans in preparation for a new home build, there may be additional features you have not yet considered. JO Contractors has experience in new builds as well as room additions and options for outdoor living. Contact us for help navigating the world of home features for your new home build. We look forward to helping you define and realize the home of your dreams.

Adding a Sunroom or Solarium? 4 Questions to Ask

Wed, 24 Jun 2020 21:10:00 GMT

2. Should You Add On or Remodel an Existing Room?

In some scenarios, you may prefer to add a new section to your house for your sunroom or solarium. For example, if you don't have any rooms or covered porches facing in the correct direction for best sun exposure, a new add-on may be your best bet. Or, if your house is a bit small, a sunroom add-on can provide both a beautiful living space and more square footage.

On the other hand, if you do have a suitable room or covered porch that you can simply convert to a sunroom, this option could save money. The basic structure is already there, so you may just need to add larger windows.

3. Which Side of the House Will You Build on?

When planning a sunroom or solarium, consider which side of the house to put it on. Sun exposure and angle can affect this decision, as well as which sides of the house have room for an add-on. For example, you won't be able to build an addition on the north side of your house if your septic system is too nearby.

For ideal sun exposure, consider your climate and the strength of your sunlight. If you live in a hot part of the South, you can spend a lot more time in the sunroom if it doesn't catch the hottest rays of summer. In a Northern climate, though, you'd want to catch as much sun as possible.

So in a hotter climate, orient your sunroom so that most of the windows face north as much as possible. This may mean putting the room on the North side of the house. In a colder climate, conversely, you may want to point the windows south. Talk to your contractor about which is best for your climate and your goals for the room.

4. What Window Materials Will You Use?

Windows are a huge part of any sunroom, so choosing the right materials and styles is paramount. Impact resistance should be a priority for sunrooms and solariums alike. You can also look for glass that offers privacy, sound control, self-cleaning abilities, or energy efficiency.

When choosing windows, don't forget to consider the frames. You'll likely want windows that can be easily opened for airflow on hot days, and window frames that are narrow to provide as much glass area as possible. Your contractor has plenty of experience with window installation and design, so be sure to discuss your window options with them.

As you can see, the options available when you decide to add a sunroom or solarium are many and varied. If you're unsure of the answers to any of these questions, your contractor can help you work through the pros and cons of each option.

JO Contractors has been building home additions and providing remodels for years and can help you plan and execute yours with the highest possible quality and longevity. For more information about adding a sunroom to your house or renovating a portion of your home into a sunroom or solarium, get in touch today.

Remodeling Before You Sell? Avoid These Shortcuts

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 21:28:00 GMT

2. DIYing Major Remodels

You may feel reluctant to spring for a professional remodel if you plan to move out soon and won't personally enjoy the results. However, DIYing a moderate to major remodel is likely a mistake. When your home attracts an interested buyer, a professional will inspect the home, and any issues that may not be up to code will come to light.

Choosing a licensed professional to complete all your remodels and upgrades can ensure that work will be up to code and won't cause any problems when inspected.

3. Choosing the Cheapest or Quickest Option

The cheapest or quickest option isn't always the most economical if you need to sell a house. This is especially the case when you sell in a buyer's market or if you simply want to drive the price of your house up. Selecting a remodel that will give your house an edge over the others in the area can help you get the most value from your efforts.

Just because the ROI of a specific remodel is great in general, that doesn't mean that you can or should perform the cheapest possible version of that remodel. For instance, a new kitchen floor may add more value and give your home more of an edge if you choose a long-lasting material like tile or stone rather than the more affordable laminate flooring.

4. Reusing Spent Materials

Reusing is one of the tenets of environmentalists, along with reducing and recycling. However, not everything can or should be reused when you remodel your home. Some materials are only designed for one-time use, while others may be worn out from constant use.

For example, the flashing pieces on your roof aren't designed for reuse. Some homeowners may get the wrong idea if they've received quotes from roofing contractors that don't include new flashing in the quote. This may make new flashing sound optional, but it's really not. Reused flashing can cause leaks, and a home inspector may flag it as a problem.

5. Painting Over Problems

In many cases, a fresh coat of paint is a great way to spruce up a room. However, you need to make sure the paint doesn't cover up a problem, such as a watermark or a mold stain. Some homeowners don't realize this, but simply cleaning the mold off and then painting over it won't stop a mold problem.

So if you paint over a spot that's had mold in the past and then sell your home, you could be at risk of legal liability if the mold problem recurs. This is especially the case if it seems like you covered the problem up. Any water damage or mold-related problems need professional remediation before you start sprucing things up with paint.

These are just some of the potentially problematic shortcuts you should avoid when remodeling a home to help it sell well. A reputable, experienced contractor can help guide you through the process to ensure you get the most out of your remodel. For more information on the services we provide, get in touch with JO Contractors today.

Improve Storage Space During a Kitchen Remodel

Mon, 10 Feb 2020 21:44:00 GMT

2. More Cabinet Space

Some kitchens have an open, airy feel but not very many storage cabinets. If this sounds familiar, you might want to consider installing cabinets over your countertops. Or you may be able to replace current cabinets with a deeper cabinet style or one that reaches all the way to the ceiling for added storage space.

Extra wall space and floor space may also give you the opportunity to install full-length cabinets. These can sometimes be spacious enough to function as a pantry, providing lots of extra food storage capacity. Built-in shelving units can provide a similar function or can provide a great place to showcase your china or cookbooks.

3. Pull-Down Ceiling Storage

If your kitchen doesn't have a lot of square footage, you may not be able to add an island or extra cabinets. However, you may be able to stash some storage inside your ceiling. This is probably not the best DIY project, so you'll ideally want to do it during a remodel.

Drop-down or pull-down ceiling storage features drawer-like units that pull down from the ceiling (similar to pulling down an attic ladder). These may reduce the vertical space in your kitchen somewhat, depending on what system you use. So it may work best for kitchens that don't already have a low ceiling.

4. Vertical Storage

Another way you can use your ceiling as storage is by hanging things from it. This can be especially useful for things you need to access frequently, since they're stored right out in the open. Pot racks are a popular way to do this. You can either mount a pot rack on the wall or get a larger one that hangs from your ceiling.

One of the benefits of installing a pot rack during a remodel is that you can have your contractor install it. Pot racks can be very heavy, so they need to be installed correctly in order to have enough support and not damage your ceiling or accidentally come loose and fall on you.

5. Corner Storage

Do you have a deep corner cupboard that's difficult to use because you can't even reach all the way to the back corner, let alone see what's inside? Some solutions to help you make the most of corner storage include:

Installing large multi-level lazy kates
Using a pullout storage rack
Putting in corner-shaped drawers

Choosing one of these, or a similar solution, can help you finally eliminate that frustrating problem of a large cupboard space that you can't really access or use efficiently.

These storage space ideas can help you assess your current kitchen setup and decide how you can improve the storage situation during your upcoming remodel. For more information on remodels and other construction projects we can help you with, contact JO Contractors today.

High-Tech Bathroom Upgrades to Increase Home Value

Wed, 11 Dec 2019 13:57:00 GMT

1. Tankless Water Heater

Many homeowners don't even consider installing a tankless water heater because of the additional cost of installation. But the tankless heater could pay for itself by providing hot water with less energy use. Even better, it can increase your home's value. This can help to give your home a competitive edge over similar homes, or may help you to close a deal faster.

So if you're thinking you might sell your home sometime in the water heater's lifetime, a modern tankless water heater is likely a great investment. These water heaters heat water up quickly so you can use it at the time you need it rather than heating it and storing it in a tank for the entire day.

2. Smart Home Features

Smart home features can be a huge selling point for buyers who want a modern, convenient home. Smart home features can provide automation and place the controls for many home appliances and fixtures right under your fingertips by connecting to your smartphone. By making your home more desirable, these features may help your home sell faster.

You've probably heard that you can get smart AC and security systems, which you can then control from your smartphone. But did you know that some bathroom elements can also hook up to your smartphone? A smart shower head, a smart water heater system, smart bathroom lighting, and smart window shades are a few ways to create a smart bathroom.

3. High-Tech Water-Saving Fixtures

Today's home buyers value their money, and so they value features that can help them save money on their bills (such as energy-saving and water-saving appliances). For this reason, you'll want to add some of these eco-friendly fixtures to your bathroom if you want to cater to potential home buyers.

In addition to low-flow faucets and showerheads, you could consider a low-flow toilet, a graywater system (such as a sink-to-toilet system), or other modern ways to reduce the environmental footprint of your bathroom.

4. Alternative Energy Sources

One way you can incorporate solar power into your bathroom is by choosing a solar-powered hot water heating system. Another option is to install solar-powered blinds or awnings on the bathroom windows.

Get creative; the more items you run on solar power, the more money you (and future buyers) can save on electricity bills. Then, make sure to point out these electricity-saving features when buyers come to view your home.

5. Luxury Toilet

While installing an entire spa complete with hot tub may be a hefty investment, you can instead opt to add a dash of luxury with a much smaller investment. For instance, replacing a run-of-the-mill toilet with a luxury toilet can make your bathroom look very attractive.

Some luxury toilets have high-tech features, such as motion sensors, hands-free flushing, or even Bluetooth. Adding luxury to everyday items like the toilet can help buyers envision how living in your home will improve their day-to-day lifestyle.

These high-tech bathroom upgrades can help you add value, pizzazz, and even a significant amount of luxury to help attract buyers and encourage them to make generous offers on your house.

For more information on home remodels for any room of the house, get in touch with JO Contractors today. We provide personalized attention and high quality construction for every remodeling project we undertake.

4 Resort-Style Ideas to Steal for Your Vacation Home

Fri, 11 Oct 2019 14:31:00 GMT

If you have a vacation home, you might miss some of the amenities of staying in a resort. And a home remodel won't provide you with the full staff that makes resort vacationing so pleasurable. However, you can gain some of the ambiance of your favorite getaway right in your own vacation home. Below are some ideas to steal for your own personal getaway.

1. Beach-Inspired Interior

Many of the most popular resorts are located seaside. While any style works even for a coastal resort, many designers opt for beach-inspired interiors. The goal of such interiors is to create a wide open, airy ambiance.

One way to create that ambiance is to expand the amount of light that comes into the interior. You could extend existing windows or add a bay window. You could also consider expanding your entryway between the interior and the deck. Instead of a classic sliding glass door, consider a glass wall system.

Likewise, use beach-inspired materials in your remodel. For example, the Marram Hotel in Montauk, Long Island, utilizes a lot of white oak in its interior. The color of the white oak mimics the light hues of sand, which is why the designers chose this material. Consider incorporating white oak or other beach-colored materials into your own remodel.

2. Interplay of White and Wood

White is a great color for creating an airy ambiance. Light reflects off white surfaces and creates more illumination. What's more, colors stand in beautiful contrast to the stark neutral. White is good for both interior and exterior surfaces. Indeed, many beach-centered resorts rely heavily on the color.

In fact, nothing says beach resort like white surfaces interplaying with wooden finishes. Take the Macakizi Beach Club in Turkey. This resort features white interiors and exteriors with naturally stained pergolas. The two styles of neutral make the surrounding landscape and interior decorations pop.

The deck is a great place for you to incorporate this idea. While the resort features decks enclosed with white walls and topped with wooden pergolas, you could turn that idea upside down. Instead, top a wooden deck with a white-painted pergola. If you add some colorful planters, you'll channel the Turkish resort.

3. Rustic Finishes

Not all vacations take place on the coast. Many people love to get away to the mountains or other naturalistic locales. Well, whether you vacation at a beachside resort or one tucked away in the forest, you'll probably encounter some rustic finishes. These finishes can be of any wood or stone features located both indoors and outdoors.

For instance, Captain Whidbey, a resort on Puget Sound's Whidbey Island, features exposed beams and a fireplace of local stone. These touches give the resort its country-inspired ambiance.

Naturally, in your own vacation home, you could install a stacked stone fireplace. The contractors don't have to build one entirely from local stones. Instead, they could use a stacked stone veneer to mimic the look. Likewise, consider adding some exposed beams to your ceiling or deck. They may not have the structural necessity as at Captain Whidbey, but they'll promote that rustic feel.

4. Glamorous Touches

On the opposite end of the spectrum, many vacationers enjoy a sense of glamour when they travel. They prefer a resort that features opulent décor, which conveys a sense of luxury. You often see high-gloss finishes that make you think of cut jewels.

An example of this style of resort is St Regis Bal Harbour Resort in Miami. The resort is renowned for its luxurious foyer, which features mirrored walls and glossy marbled floors.

The bathroom is a great area to try out this idea. You could opt for a mirrored wall in the style of St Regis. The walls are actually made up of three-dimensional geometric mirrors. If you don't want a fully mirrored wall, consider just one of the 3D mirrors or a small selection. You could replicate the marbled floors with glossy vanity tops in your bathroom.

Your vacation home is already your private getaway - make it even more so with some of the above ideas for your next remodel. When you're ready to make over your vacation home, contact JO Contractors .

Exterior Makeovers That Improve Your Home's Appearance

Tue, 27 Aug 2019 14:35:00 GMT

New Roofing Shingles

The other biggest area of your house's façade is the roof. Most homeowners don't replace their roof unless it's failing. If you think you need a new roof, consider upgrading the type of shingles you have used.

The standard shingle type is three-tab asphalt. These shingles feature cutouts on the lower edge that make the three-tab design, which makes them look like three shingles instead of one. A roof done fresh in such shingles will certainly be an improvement over an old, faded roof.

That said, you could upgrade to architectural shingles. These shingles consist of two or more layers of lamination, resulting in a three-dimensional profile. When a roof has architectural shingles, you get a pleasing interplay of light and shadow.

Garage Door Makeover

Finally, the last big piece of the puzzle with your house's façade is the garage door. While not quite as large as the siding or roof, it is the largest door in your house. So, consider installing a new garage door. If for a multi-car garage or predominantly placed, consider choosing a color that matches your siding.

That said, you can also make the garage door attractive if you choose a door with glass panels. Indeed, some styles have glass panels in a metal framework. You can also update the look of your garage door with the trim around it. For instance, instead of trying to hide it in plain sight, draw attention to the door with a small trellis or lanterns on either side.

Increased Window Space

Many homes have nice views, especially if they're vacation houses. And many homes fail to take full advantage of those views with adequate windows. So, replacing the existing windows with larger varieties is a good remodel project. Bigger windows will afford you better views of the panorama outside your house.

Enlarged windows also help open up the façade of your home. Instead of having a big wall with small openings, you have glittering glass. An alternative to enlarging the existing windows is to add smaller windows. Typically, you can approach this idea with transom windows - windows above doors and existing windows.

Architectural Entryway

Houses without porches can present very plain facades. Naturally, one update you can make is to add a porch. With a new porch addition, you get increased outdoor living space.

If you want a smaller-scale remodel project, consider adding some architecture to your entryway. You can have the contractors extend the top out with a pediment supported on columns. The extension can be just the depth of the pediment, or you can extend it out into a faux porch. Either way, the added architectural element will give the flat façade visual interest.

Make a big difference in the look of your house's exterior with some of the above remodel projects. Contact JO Contractors to talk about your makeover ideas.

Tips For Designing A Beach-Inspired Deck

Tue, 02 Jul 2019 14:43:00 GMT

Devise a Lounge Area

One of the essentials of a deck design is the layout. You may want to keep a lot of open space free to use how you wish, but you'll also find it helpful to sketch out some ideas for how you plan on using different spaces so you can design them accordingly.

What's more beach-inspired than the idea of lounging in view of the water? Devise a specific area for lounging. You could plan a space that can accommodate sun chairs, or you may decide to have an actual beach bed installed in the area. It's even better if the area is quiet and boasts gorgeous views.

Construct a Pergola

You need shade over at least part of your deck so you can enjoy the outdoors at any time of day. However, you may not want a full roof because that defeats the purpose of an outdoor deck. Designers often recommend a pergola with a lattice top. That way, you get some shade without being fully covered.

If your goal is to create that beach vibe, you could hang weatherproof curtain panels from rods around the pergola. The curtain panels will give your pergola the feel of a beach cabana. More importantly, they'll provide a little more shade and even some privacy.

Install Slatted Screens

Along those same lines, consider privacy screens for certain areas of your deck. You often see wooden plantain shuttersincorporated into beach-inspired designs, especially for porches overlooking the water. You could add such shutters as part of your pergola design. You can also get the look with lattice screens.

Lattice screens come in different configurations, including those with slats. While they're not movable like plantation shutters, lattice screens can stand alone. You can use them for privacy, say, to keep your lounge or hot tub space private. You could also have them incorporated as part of the aesthetic design to simulate that look of plantation shutters on a porch.

Look Into Glass Railings

When you have a deck constructed, one of the big decisions you'll make is in the railing style and material. Homeowners often opt for standard wood or wood-like railings. However, glass deck railings are both practical and attractive.

Decks can be windy, especially if you actually are near a body of water or if your deck is elevated. Glass panels can function as a windbreak to make your deck more usable. What's more, glass is transparent, so the railing doesn't obstruct your views in any way. Because of those two qualities, you see glass railings on beachside properties, making them ideal for your beach-inspired deck.

Add beach-inspired touches to your new deck to give it the ambience of a waterfront getaway. Contact JO Contractors for your home remodel project.

3 Vacation Home Upgrades That Will Draw New Renters

Tue, 05 Mar 2019 14:46:00 GMT

2. A Revamped Kitchen

One of the biggest draws of staying in vacation homes over standard hotels is the addition of a kitchen, which makes it easy and inexpensive for guests to create meals while on vacation. However, if your kitchen is cramped or dated, it could make people skip the at-home meal prep and dine out, which could make folks think twice about booking your house.

Make sure the kitchen in your vacation home contains new appliances with modern features, such as refrigerator door touch screens with built-in access to digital assistants. As you shop for appliances, think of equipment that would be handy to renters, like coffee makers, electric kettles, and toaster ovens.

As you work with your remodeling contractor, consider upgrading the kitchen to include stone countertops, plenty of canned lighting, and a walk-in pantry, stocked with essentials for visitors to use.

3. Comfortable Decks and Outdoor Areas

What good is a vacation home in a scenic location if guests don't have a nice place to sit outside and watch the sun go down? Consider dedicating part of your remodeling budget to revamping outdoor spaces with things like paver patios, raised decks, and built-in barbecue grills.

Additions like sun rooms can also be an attractive addition to visitors, since it gives them the chance to enjoy the feeling of the outdoors all year long. To make outdoor spaces even more attractive, add patio furniture, awnings, and even decorative fountains to make the space easy to use and enjoy.

If you own a waterside vacation properly, ask contractors to create a boat slip to make it easy to stash equipment. By keeping basic boating equipment like canoes and paddle boats on hand, your vacation rental will seem like its own destination, raising the perceived value of your rental property. Additionally, building your own boat slip enables you to store your watercraft without paying costly boat slip fees, which can be as much as $21,000 per year , depending on where your property is located.

Whether you are interested in adding value to your own home or bolstering the rental price of an income property, our team can help. At JO Contractors , we are committed to giving every project the attention and care that it deserves, while taking care of every stage of the construction process from planning to finish work. Explore our recent work on our website today.

3 Ways to Update Your Outdoor Living Space

Wed, 07 Nov 2018 14:49:00 GMT

2. Fire Feature

If you visit your local discount retailer or home improvement store, you will probably see a large selection of outdoor firepits and fireplaces. While these are effective, a custom fire feature specifically designed for your outdoor space and your family's needs will ensure this addition is valuable and helpful for entertaining.

You may not know which option is right for you and your needs because fire pits and fireplaces are both great options. To help make your decision, consider the number of people you believe would use the fire feature at one time. If 4 or less would be gathering around the fire feature, a fireplace will be sufficient. If a larger group of people will be gathering around the fire feature at one time while you are entertaining, a fire pit may be most ideal.

Either type of fire feature can be incorporated into your outdoor living space.

A firepit can be built onto a patio off of your porch or sunroom or on an entirely different area of your backyard. If you prefer a fireplace, consider incorporating it into your sunroom's design or a corner of your patio, which will create an intimate space to sit around the fire while still being close to others.

3. Outdoor Kitchen

Finally, any outdoor space that will be used for entertaining needs a functional outdoor kitchen. The amenities in your outdoor kitchen will depend on what you hope to achieve when preparing and serving food and drinks for your guests.

Serious cooks may prefer a kitchen that has both a charcoal grill or smoker and gas grill combination. This allows you the joy of slow-cooking certain meats while still having the ability to throw on some hot dogs and hamburgers to cook quickly.

A built-in refrigerator is also an ideal feature to include in your outdoor kitchen. Not only can this fridge be used to store beverages, but the fridge can also be a great place for temporarily storing meats, veggies, condiments, dips, and cold salads.

Include seating on your patio around your outdoor kitchen. Your family and other guests will be able to enjoy your company while you prepare different dishes all while spending time outdoors. Conversational seating, such as lounge chairs and a sofa, and a dining table set are ideal furniture solutions.

Whether you have a wood deck or slab patio, enhancing your outdoor living space is possible. To get started turning your ordinary living space into an extraordinary destination, contact JO Contractors today.

3 Tips for Improving Your Kitchen's Lighting

Mon, 10 Sep 2018 14:51:00 GMT

1. Prioritize Task Lighting

While kitchens play a variety of roles for a family, few activities require the level of focused attention as cooking. Cutting food, measuring ingredients, and reading cookbooks become challenging when undertaken in poor light. Your first goal in redesigning your kitchen lighting should be to make tasks like these as easy and well-lit as possible with task lights.

Task lights yield the best results when placed at a height somewhere between your head and the work surface. Overhead lights, by contrast, often throw frustrating shadows over your workspace. For best results, consider installing task lights along the underside of kitchen cabinets above your most-used food prep areas.

LED lights offer excellent results when used as under-cabinet lights. Not only do LEDs come in a versatile range of shapes, but they also consume very little energy. Linear LED strips provide a bright, even source of light. Depending on the placement of your work area, you may choose to have LED lights hardwired into your home's electrical supply, or you can power them using plug-ins or batteries.

2. Recess Your Ceiling Lights

Traditionally, most kitchens have ceiling lights. Unfortunately, ceiling lights tend to create glares on countertops. Depending on where you stand in the room, overhead lighting can also create shadows that make it difficult to see and work clearly. For these reasons, current design trends emphasize incorporating more indirect light sources.

Nonetheless, ceiling lights still have their place in the kitchen, thanks to their ability to throw light over a wide area. Fortunately, you can reduce unwanted problems like glare and shadow by switching over to recessed ceiling lights. Be aware, however, that recessed lights must be placed very carefully to yield the optimal results.

When placed correctly, recessed lights can not only provide good general lighting but can also be used for more intensive tasks. You should place recessed lights so that they lie directly above the edge of your kitchen's counter - in other words, about 24 inches from the wall. This location provides excellent work surface lighting while minimizing the chances that your body will create shadows.

3. Incorporate Dimmer Switches

Ambient lighting is also important in kitchens. After all, only a fraction of the time you spend in the kitchen goes to high-intensity cooking tasks. At other times, warmer and less harsh lighting options can create a more inviting and relaxing atmosphere.

You should certainly consider installing wall sconces and other indirect and ambient light sources. Yet you can also diversify your existing lighting options by adding dimmer switches to your kitchen. Dimmer switches come in a variety of types, from rotary switches to toggle switches to sliders.

Try out each of the different styles and pick the one that suits you best. Just be sure to find a model compatible with the bulbs used in your kitchen. The best dimmers can be used for both CFL and LED bulbs.

Homeowners looking for a simple kitchen remodeling project can upgrade their lighting setup for a fraction of the normal remodeling cost. For more information about this and other kitchen remodeling projects, please contact the pros at JO Contractors.

3 Tips for Designing an Environmentally Friendly Home

Mon, 09 Jul 2018 14:53:00 GMT

2. Go With Geothermal

Few factors affect a home's carbon footprint as much as your HVAC system. Traditional furnaces and air conditioners consume large amounts of energy. Not only does this energy consumption take an environmental toll, but it also means your monthly energy bills can cost a small fortune.

One exciting alternative to traditional HVAC systems involves heat pumps that use geothermal energy to heat and cool a home. A geothermal heat pump takes advantages of the fact that, at a certain depth, yearround ground temperatures remain surprisingly constant. A geothermal system utilizes pipes buried deep in the ground around your home.

Special heat-exchanging fluid flows through these pipes. In summer time, this fluid passes unwanted heat from your home to the ground. In winter, this fluid acts to collect latent ground heat and transfer it to your house. A well-installed geothermal heat pump can provide all of the comfort of a traditional HVAC system - at a fraction of the cost.

The energy - and environmental - savings of geothermal heat pumps stems from their high degree of efficiency. The average geothermal system boasts 48 percent more efficiency than a gas furnace, and 43 percent more efficiency than traditional cooling systems. Best of all, a geothermal system does so without consuming any fossil fuels whatsoever.

3. Harvest Your Rainwater

Everybody appreciates the visual appeal of a lush green lawn. Unfortunately, that kind of landscaping takes an enormous amount of water. Not only can that be an expensive habit, but it increases the strain on the municipal processing system. In fact, in many water-starved areas, it may even be against regulations to use city water for landscaping purposes.

By integrating a rain harvesting system into your home's design, you can easily stockpile a free supply of landscaping water. A well-designed rainwater system can collect almost all of the rain that falls on your roof.

Integrating green design techniques into your next home doesn't have to be hard when you know what you want and what is available. For more information on designing the home of your dreams, contact the home construction experts at JO Contractors .

3 Tips to Get the Most From Your Bathroom Remodeling Project

Fri, 11 May 2018 14:55:00 GMT

1. Use Larger Tiles

A significant percentage of bathroom remodeling projects involve upgrading the flooring from drab vinyl to handsome tiles. Some people go even farther, covering their walls with tiles as well. This change will do wonders to increase the visual appeal of your bathroom while also adding value when the time comes to sell.

Yet a tiled bathroom can also present difficulties. The issue here is not so much the tiles but rather the grout that holds the tiles in place. Grout is highly porous, meaning that it will readily absorb and retain water. To prevent mold and mildew from ruining the appearance of grout, you must be sure to apply grout sealer when your grout needs it.

Even then, you will have to be sure to clean your grout on a regular basis to prevent it from becoming a discolored eyesore. This process can be quite time-consuming. To make your grout cleaning efforts as simple as possible, opt for larger tiles rather than smaller ones. This will minimize the amount of grout, making it easier to keep your bathroom spotlessly clean.

2. Ditch Your Tub

While lots of people find a hot soak in the tub to be an appealing idea, the fact is that most people never actually take baths. Studies have found that a whopping 90% of people would rather take a shower than a bath. If you are among that 90%, you should give strong consideration to doing away with your bathtub entirely.

To begin with, a combination shower-bathtub - the set-up in most people's bathrooms - usually doesn't manage to deliver great results at either end of the spectrum. The tubs tend to be a little too small, and the showerheads are often awkwardly positioned. Worse still, shower curtains are magnets for mold and mildew growth.

Ditching your bathtub will free up a surprising amount of space in your bathroom. In its place, consider adding a walk-in shower with glass walls and a bench. This luxurious set-up will allow you to maximize the pleasure you take in showering, instead of watering it down with a tub you never really use.

3. Prioritize Water Conservation

More and more people are coming to realize that water is a precious natural resource. And as municipal conservation efforts increase, it will only become more expensive. By upgrading to water-efficient fixtures in your bathroom, you can greatly reduce your overall water consumption.

This includes not just efficient showerheads but also low-flow toilets and faucets with high-efficiency aerators. Such fixtures will save you hundreds of gallons of water a month, quickly paying themselves off as time goes on. Look for fixtures that bear the WaterSense label. This indicates that a fixture has met the highest level of efficiency standards as set out by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Remodeling your bathroom can give your home a whole new lease on life, provided you make smart design decisions. For more information on how to get the most out of your remodeling project, please contact the experts at JO Contractors .

5 Questions to Help You Create a Great Space on Any Budget

Wed, 14 Mar 2018 15:12:00 GMT

2. How Does Traffic Flow?

People rarely think about traffic flow in the bathroom the way they do in other rooms. But many families and partners find that there are two, three, or more people shuffling around a bathroom at the same time, especially in the mornings.

Ask yourself questions about how many people will need to use the space at the same time. How comfortably can they

pass one another? Are the various stations in the bathroom - such as the sink and the shower - far enough apart that people won't trip on each other? If the width or depth in the bathroom is lacking, you may find outsize benefit in spending the money to widen it.

3. More Counters or More Sinks?

The double sink is a staple of most master bathrooms. But, as with a large tub, it can be something that people simply assume they need for a luxury space. In fact, what many people actually need more than another sink is more counter space to work at the same time.

Rather than adding sinks, some modern homeowners opt for grooming stations. This is a counter space with a good mirror and lighting that can be used to perform beauty or grooming without the need of a sink. Add some cabinets or shelving for beauty supplies or accessories for a spot that does it all.

4. Can You Add More Light?

Unlike many other bathrooms in the house, the master bath is often situated where you could allow more natural lighting. Natural light not only makes the room seem larger and more luxurious, but it can also alter the lighting to a more natural hue for grooming.

Even if your master bathroom doesn't already have windows or a skylight, consider installing one or both. Since many master suites are on the upper floor and/or along an outside wall, you may be able to do so with less cost than expected.

5. What Splurges Do You Want?

Of course, as part of the master suite, the bathroom should look and feel luxurious. Even on a tight budget, make sure you set aside some money to spend on at least one splurge item.

Which splurge is right for you depends on your personality. It could be anything from heated tile floors to a body spray shower system or built-in speakers. If you have trouble deciding, make a priority list in order of importance so that you and your partner can choose what will add the most value to your lives.

Answering these five questions while still planning your master bath renovation will help you hone in on what you really want and what you can afford to do. For more help, call us at JO Contractors today. With more than 20 years of experience helping homeowners realize their remodeling dreams, we can help you too.

4 Ways to Maintain the Value of Your Home

Wed, 10 Jan 2018 15:15:00 GMT

Take Care of Routine Repairs

That scuffed paint and loose banister might not seem important, but if you ever decide to sell your house, the small things can add up fast and matter a lot to potential buyers.

To protect the value of your home, take care of routine repairs along the way. As soon as you finish a home project, walk through your home to look for problems that might need to be addressed sooner rather than later. If you aren't sure where to start, consider investing in a home inspection to get a little advice from a trained contractor.

Don't forget to evaluate the outside of your home to look for issues with your exterior home covering, concrete, deck, and landscaping. Correcting issues proactively could help you to streamline the sale of your home and earn top-dollar in a competitive market.

Honor Your Home's Past

People like continuity in home design, which is why creating an ultra-modern home interior doesn't make much sense if the entire outside screams "classic French" or "rustic western." If you are considering home updates or renovations, honor your home's past by choosing projects that meld with the existing aesthetic of the property.

Pay attention to things like architecture, color palette, hardware, and interior building components. When you select new paint, tile, or flooring, opt for versions that fit in instead of stand out. In addition to helping you to create a streamlined look, renovating this way also makes projects less time-consuming and difficult.

Invest in the Right Upgrades

On the other hand, if you decide to do full renovations of the interior and exterior of your home, opt for upgrades that tout a high return on investment. For example, since first impressions stick with buyers and people tend to gravitate to common areas such as kitchens, spend most of your money in those places to protect the value of your property.

When you are ready to make the home upgrades you have been dreaming about, turn to the professionals at JO Contractors . From small weekend projects to full-home renovations, this team of dedicated contractors understands how to create the gorgeous, functional results you are after.

Cook Up a 21st-Century Kitchen With These Modern Upgrades

Tue, 14 Nov 2017 15:17:00 GMT

Add Visual Interest to the Kitchen Ceiling

The ceiling may not look like much, but it is a huge visual feature in the kitchen space, so changing it up just slightly hugely impacts the overall design. If you are like most homeowners, the ceiling in your kitchen is a basic dry walled surface, but adding dimension is an easy thing to do with professional remodeling contractors. You could:

Create a grid-like coffered ceiling style with sectioned-off spaces
Have a vaulted ceiling installed
Install wooden beams for a vintage look

Ceiling changes are a slight part of the remodeling process for the kitchen. However, they create a new platform to build on with the rest of the room's design. For example, a coffered ceiling exudes a sort of French-retro charm, which can be followed through with other kitchen elements.

Maximize Kitchen Storage Space

One of the biggest complaints homeowners have about their kitchen is that there never seems to be quite enough storage space. From utensils and silverware to dishes and small food-prep appliances, your kitchen can get overrun with stuff that has no logical resting spot. Luckily, modern kitchen design is changing all of that. To maximize storage space in your kitchen you can:

Install low-profile storage drawers along toe kicks at the bottom of cabinetry
Make use of open space and free up existing storage by implementing things like a pot rack or utensil hanger
Opt for ceiling-high cabinetry to utilize all vertical space

The more storage space you have in your kitchen, the better your whole room will function because it is more organized overall. A little extra planning during your kitchen remodel can garner you a lot of extra space to work with.

Upgrade to Less obvious Kitchen Appliances

Your massive stainless steel refrigerator or that really obvious dishwasher you have in your kitchen may be necessary appliances, but they don't necessarily have to be obvious. These fixtures hog up a lot of the visual space in your kitchen. Therefore, their blatancy can detract from the look you are trying to achieve if you are going for a more seamless theme or appeal.

Because of the fact that appliances are necessary and have always been so obvious, many appliance manufacturers now provide pieces that integrate better with other kitchen elements. For example, you can get a fridge that has finished door panels to match your cabinets so the appliance blends right in with the rest of the space.

At the end of the day, your kitchen should be a place in your home that suits you well, both in design and function. Creating a modern kitchen is all about swapping out those antiquated design ideas for new fixtures and features. For help with planning your big kitchen remodel, contact JO Contractors for help.

Want an Outdoor Room? 5 Questions to Answer Before Building

Thu, 17 Aug 2017 15:20:00 GMT

How Will You Access Your Room?

Once you know what you want to create, start your location search by determining how you can access the outdoor room. Outdoor rooms benefit from easy and direct access from the house. Usually continuing a room from a similar room inside the home will utilize the outdoor room the most. For example, a kitchen can have a door that leads to an outdoor grill. If you can't design a direct connection to the house, make sure there is a wide, straight, well-lit and well-maintained path to the new outside area.

How Will You Define Your Room?

Like any other room, your outdoor room will need some kind of borders or definition to give it structure. Some outdoor rooms are defined by something as simple as a row of bushes or dwarf trees. Some are actual structures with walls. It's really up to you. Plan for traffic flow throughout the space and through the open "doors" in whichever border you plan.

If you are building a large outdoor entertainment space or have a large yard, you may want to create two or more zones for different uses. For example, you could have one zone be a dining table, and the other a place for relaxed conversations. Dividing an outdoor room into two zones allows you to enjoy the whole area more often and limit unnecessary traffic.

How Will You Protect Your Room?

The chances are that your area experiences some kind of weather or climate challenges. It may be too much sun, cold winters, or afternoon monsoons. Remember to think about how the weather will affect your outdoor room usage and what you can do to protect against it. Incorporating windbreaks, a covered "Florida room" or even a roof will help protect your room. Also, these protective elements can integrate the outdoor room into your home's architecture.

What are the Obstacles?

Before settling on a budget or a location, be sure you understand what the terrain or design challenges are. How level and stable is the ground? Which electrical or plumbing connections are available? What zoning or permit issues might you face?

Take the time to answer these questions and meet with a contractor who can help you answer some of these questions. The professional contractors at JO Contractors can help. Knowing these answers will help you move forward with confidence and a definite plan. And you will be able to start enjoying your outdoor room as quickly as possible.